Apple Arcade to support both Xbox One and PS4 controllers

By Charles Singletary Jr. June 3, 2019

Apple Arcade game Beyond a Steel Sky — Image used with permission by copyright holder

This story is part of our complete Apple WWDC coverage

Apple hosted a special livestream event at the San Jose Convention Center during the company’s annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC). During the event, Apple revealed that the upcoming game subscription service Apple Arcade will feature support for the Xbox One controller and PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4.

Google Stadia isn’t the only new gaming platform coming in 2019. Apple Arcade will be released in the fall but, unlike Stadia, it is not a cloud streaming platform. With Apple Arcade, gamers will be using a connection to download the games in full but you won’t need an active connection to play. The platform will feature exclusive games that Apple has reportedly invested more than $500 million to obtain and a subscription will get you and five other users access to those titles. You can access the Apple Arcade platform via an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

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It’s reported that none of the Apple Arcade titles will come to Android devices but the door is open for home consoles and PC. This is supported by the reveal of integration with the DualShock 4 and Xbox One controller made during WWDC 2019. Arcade will be a new face in the competition for gamer’s time but this move alludes to a more collaborative relationship with the established companies within the space.

Considering Apple’s strength in the smartphone industry, it makes sense to be concerned that Apple Arcade could just be another way to deliver experiences tailored toward mobile gamers. Support for the DualShock 4 and Xbox One controller, though, reaffirms the potential for Apple Arcade to be a gaming platform closer to home gaming experiences and not just a home for ported mobile experiences.

With these gamepads, you’ll eventually be playing games from the likes of Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and The Sims designer Will Wright. There are already many revealed games for the platform as well, like Sonic Racing, Overland, and Beyond a Steel Sky. You can check them out in our guide to all we know about the Apple Arcade. The new gaming platform will be launching in fall 2019 but the prices for the platform have not been revealed yet.

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Charles Singletary Jr.

I'm a Birmingham, AL raised author, journalist, and gaming enthusiast currently residing in San Antonio, TX. My work has…

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